Give the Gift of Steamboat
Talented makers of all types are elevating the craft product movement to new levels in Steamboat Springs. You can find everything from hand-printed t-shirts to durable wool socks, warrior whiskey to all. the. gear. you need to help you play year round: camping chairs, stand up paddleboards and skis, of course. The sheer variety of local items available makes it easier than ever to impress your beloveds with handcrafted, born-in-Steamboat gifts this holiday season.
Harvest Skis, Pow Cow, $789: With the tagline “from tree to ski,” Harvest skis are made in the USA with a solid wood core running from tip to tail. From the “Pow Cow,” perfect for those deep powder days, to the “Homegrown,” the all day/all mountain ski Harvest launched with, and the Rootdown, the perfect twin-tip ski for park play, Harvest has a ski to suit your on-snow personality.
Hala Gear, Rival Hoss, $1,199: Designed and headquartered in Steamboat Springs, Hala Gear sells inflatable stand-up paddleboards and paddles known for being durable and versatile. The Rival Hoss is a great board choice for taller recreational paddlers that want quality construction in an affordable setup. This board is perfect for those who are looking to cruise around the lake with their dog or child sitting on the front, thanks to its high weight capacity and wide stability-enhancing outline. What’s more? This Straight-to-Water Package includes a carbon Rival B-Line travel paddle so you can get out on the water right away!
Big Agnes, Big Six Camp Chair, $149.95: For Big Agnes, it all started in 2001 with a sleeping bag with a sleeve for an inflatable sleeping pad, dubbed the Big Agnes system. Over the last 15+ years, the company has moved into tents, trekking poles, duffels, apparel and even camp furniture. Enter the Big Six Camp Chair, a deluxe camp chair that provides comfort and convenience on the go. The fully shock-corded architecture is made with a lightweight aircraft aluminum pole system and is a cinch to set up. The lightweight nylon Robic polyester rip-stop provides extra tear strength.
Point6 Socks: CDT Hike Light Crew socks, $23.95: Point6 makes comfortable, durable merino wool socks using a chemical-free and earth-friendly process. Stick a pair or two of these CDT-themed socks into everyone’s stockings this year and help support the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CTDC) in the process (25 percent of the purchase price goes to the CDTC). The sock is named after the CDT and was released after Steamboat was designated a Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Gateway Community in 2018. The socks are handed out in welcome bags to thru-hikers passing through town but if you don’t feel like tackling the 3,100-mile trail to get one, you can order them online.
Ohana: Unisex T-shirt, $28: Inspired by a love for the mountains and the beach, the owners of Ohana (700 Yampa Street Suite A105, Steamboat Springs) design and handprint t-shirts, tanks, hats and sweatshirts with beautiful outdoor-focused designs. We love the options with local ties — Mt. Werner, the Zirkels or the Rabbit Ears Motel. Check out the home goods — aprons, tea towels, pillows and stickers — and gorgeous handmade local art and jewelry, too.
photo credit: @daniellezimmererphotography
Honey Stinger Organic Cracker Bars, $26.40/box of 12: Honey Stinger got its start back in the 1950s as the EN-R-G Bar before being reestablished as Honey Stinger in 2002. It now produces a full array of energy snacks, with the most recent being Honey Stinger’s new Organic Cracker Bars — a delectable blend of organic nut butter and honey sandwiched between two multigrain crackers, sprinkled with sea salt and then covered in chocolate. This not-so-guilty pleasure makes for a great trailside snack, summit reward, afternoon pick-me-up or on-the-go energizer that tastes every bit as delicious as it sounds, while providing balanced, sustained energy. Choose from: Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate, Cashew Butter & Milk Chocolate and Almond Butter & Dark Chocolate.
Windfall Fine Art Gallery, mixed media painting, price varies: The newest gallery to join the Steamboat scene is Windfall Fine Art Gallery, located at 1015 Lincoln Avenue. Two longtime local artists, Dale Foster and Michelle Ideus, opened the gallery in July. See works by 10 Colorado artists, nine who call Steamboat home. Mediums include glass, ceramics, photography, oil paintings, mixed media and jewelry. Pick up a bike-themed mixed media painting by Ideus for the art lover in your life. >
Steamboat Marathon Entry, $90 for the marathon; $80 for the Half; $40 for the 10K: Each summer, Steamboat Springs kick starts the season with its annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K. Set for June 7, 2020, participants running the 39th annual event will appreciate the gentle, rolling hills and quintessential Steamboat Springs scenery: rural ranch lands, the mighty Elk River, legendary snow-capped peaks and a western-inspired downtown. Use code GIFT2020 to score a 20 percent discount.
F.M. Light & Sons, custom fit cowboy hat, price varies: F.M. Light & Sons has been outfitting Steamboat ranchers and visitors for more than 100 years. This fifth-generation store featuring authentic western wear and gifts has a hat fitter on staff who will custom steam a cowboy hat of your choosing so it fits your head perfectly.
Steamboat Whiskey Company, Warrior Whiskey, $48: While Steamboat Whiskey Company serves up an impressive lineup of spirits, it's their Warrior Whiskey that’s likely doing the most good. Founder and head distiller Nathan Newhall is a former U.S. Navy SEAL; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Warrior Whiskey benefits veteran support organizations to the tune of more than $42K to date. Visit the distillery to sample it and purchase a bottle.
